Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 72 (2010) 229–235

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Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s ev i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / p e t r o l

Numerical simulations of wellbore stability in under-balanced-drilling wells

Saeed Salehi a,⁎, Geir Hareland b, Runar Nygaard a
a
Missouri University of Science and Technology, Missouri, USA
b
University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Drilling underbalanced is often used to prevent formation damage, avoid lost circulation, and increase rate of
Received 6 November 2008 penetration. However, it is also risky and may lead to wellbore collapse due to lack of positive support
Accepted 29 March 2010 provided by the hydrostratic wellbore fluid column. Hence, the application of underbalanced drilling (UBD)
should be evaluated thoroughly through the use of in-situ stresses and rock mechanical properties to
Keywords: estimate under what hydraulic drilling conditions the wellbore is stable.
wellbore stabiliy analysis
This paper presents numerical simulations for wellbore stability analysis in two depleted Iranian fields, named
elasto-plastic model
Near Yielded Zone Area (NYZA)
herein as field A and B. The simulations were executed both in Finite-Explicit and Finite-Element codes to cross
check the results.
Depleted Iranian fractured carbonate fields are suffering from severe wellbore stability problems and lost
circulation during overbalanced drilling conditions. The application of UBD in these fields with a pressure less
than formation pore pressure brought on new wellbore stability problems like risk of shear failure and collapse of
borehole wall. Using good geomechanical model description matching field characteristics in conjunction with
rock failure criteria in some cases may lead to a good prediction for avoiding wellbore stability problems and
choosing the optimum mud weight window. By analyzing cores, log and triaxial rock mechanical data, an
elastoplastic model combined with a finite explicit code was used in the wellbore stability analysis to
estimatimate an optimum Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) for these fields. Compared to some actual field
data it was observed that using an elastoplastic constitutive model would be sufficient to analyze mechanical
wellbore stability in these fields.
Published by Elsevier B.V.

1. Introduction
Underground formations are subjected to a vertical compressive
stress caused by the weight of the overlying strata and horizontal
stresses due to the confining lateral restraints. Under the action of
these in situ stresses, prior to drilling a borehole, the rock mass is in a
state of equilibrium that will be destroyed by the excavation. When a
borehole is drilled, the load carried by the removed rock is then taken
by the adjacent rock to re-establish equilibrium. As a result, a stress
concentration is produced around the well. If there is no hydrostatic
support pressure introduced into the borehole, failure in the
formation may take place. Therefore, maintaining equilibrium in the
field to prevent rock failure requires the use of a support pressure
which is usually provided by the drilling fluid. In order to evaluate the
potential for wellbore stability a realistic constitutive model must be
used to compute the stresses and strains around a borehole.Out of the
numerous published models, the linear elastic model (LEM) is the
⁎ Corresponding author. Missouri University of Science and Technology 1870 Miner
Circle, Rolla, MO 65409, USA. Tel.: +1 573 647 9549.
E-mail address: saeads@gmail.com (S. Salehi).
most common approach. This is due to its simplicity and less required
input parameters compared to other models. However, using these
simple models in some cases underpredicts the wellbore stable ECD.
The LEM based models do not adequately explain the fact that, in
many cases the borehole remains stable even if the stress concentra-
tion around the borehole exceeds the strength of the formation.
Alternatively, elastoplastic models offer the ability to assess the
mechanical integrity of a borehole more realistically. Westergaard
(1940) published one of the early works contributing to the knowledge
of stress distribution around a borehole, in which an elastoplastic model
was developed (Al-Ajmi, 2006). Later works using elasto-plastic models
have been published (e.g., Gnirk, 1972; Risnes and Bratli, 1981; Mitchell
et al., 1987; Anthony and Crook, 2002). Table 1 shows a summary of the
current wellbore stability models (Chen, 2001).
An elastoplastic model for assessing wellbore stability analysis in
two depleted carbonate fields are presented in this paper. Based on
stability analysis results compared with behavior of the drilling of two
UBD horizontal wells in these depleted fields proved the feasibility and
accuracy of using an elastoplastic model to predict the operational ECD
windows. Although considering behavior of only two wells is not
sufficient to conclude that implementing this model for all the carbonate
fields will yield similar results, it is suggested that the result of this study
can be expanded for use on other fields with similar characteristics.

0920-4105/$ – see front matter. Published by Elsevier B.V.

doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2010.03.022
230 S. Salehi et al. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 72 (2010) 229–235

Table 1 nature of the studies undertaken in these fields the names are not
Current wellbore stability models. revealed.
Reference Model type Special features Lost circulation is one of the most severe drilling problems in these
fields. So the determination of proper ECD is challenging.
Bradley (1979) Linear elasticity Zero tensile strength
Fuh et al. (1988) No chemical effect
Aadnoy No fluid diffusion Zero tensile strength 3. ECD as a controllable factor
et al. (1987)
McLean and No thermal effect
Some factors which affect wellbore failure can be controlled while
Addis (1990a,b)
Zhou et al. (1996) others are impossible to control because of the intrinsic properties of
Truncated Desai's yield earth. The primary factors affecting wellbore stability are listed in
function Table 2 (Westergaard, 1940). Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) is
Santarelli et al. (1986) Stress dependent linear the dominant controllable factor in applied wellbore stability analysis.
elasticity
The support pressure offered by the static or dynamic fluid pressure
Detournay and Linear poroelasticity Vertical well Undrained
Cheng (1987) condition during drilling, simulating, working over or producing of a well, will
Yew et al. (1990), Wang and Moisture adsorption determine the stress concentration present in the wellbore vicinity
van Kruijsdijk (1996) (Mclellan, 1996). This paper estimates the optimum ECD for
Wang (1998) Chemical effect and Variable Young's
preventing wellbore stability problems in two depleted carbonate
moisture adsorption modulus
Yew and Lui (1992) Linear poroelasticity, fields.
no chemical effect
Mody and Hale (1993) Chemical effect 4. Data gathering
Stress on the wellbore
wall
The operator was considering two underbalanced horizontal wells
Sherwood (1993) Chemical effect Chemical potential of
different components in two depleted carbonate fields. The 6 ½ in wellbores were horizontal
Wang and Chemical effect Shale properties vary at an approximate depth of 8687 ft in field A and 6218 ft in field B.
Papamichos (1994) with water content Pore pressure gradient was found from DST test analysis for both
Cui et al. (1997) No chemical effect Solution in Laplace
fields at the mentioned depths and reported as (5.56 Lb/Gal) and
Cui et al. (1999) Time dependency domain, superposition
Time dependency technique
(5.68 Lb/Gal) in field A and B respectively.
Abousleiman et al. (1995) Poroviscoelasticity Usually the most important data for wellbore stability analysis is
McLean and Addis (1990) Nonlinear elasticity the rock mechanical data. Knowledge of this type of data in Iranian
Mclellan (May 1996) Elasto-Plasticity fields is limited, however for the mentioned fields in this paper some
McLellan and Elasto-Plasticity
laboratory test were available.
Wang (1994) Plasticity
Ewy (1999) For field A, two laboratory methods were used for determining
Detournay (1995) Coupled thermo- Drained and undrained elastic properties.
hydro-poroelasticity conditions
Wang et al. (1996) • Static (triaxial)
Li et al. (1998) Thermoporoelasticity Conductive heat flow
Choi and Tan (1998) Thermoporoelasticity
• Dynamic (acoustic)
Numerical validation
Wang and Thermoporoplastic The preferred method is to perform static triaxial tests on cores
Dusseault (1995) since this method provides the most accurate and reliable data.
As a general rule, the dynamic techniques are inaccurate because
of poro-elastic influence on sonic wave propagation. Consequently all
2. Fields background dynamic test methods must be calibrated to provide reasonable
estimates of static values needed for wellbore stability analysis.
90% of the discovered fields in Iran are in carbonate reservoirs Typically with frequency used in laboratory for acoustic measure-
putting Iran as one of the largest carbonate producers in the world ment, only small scale features dominate the results. So the static
(Abdollahi et al., 2004). Field A and B are located in southern part of young modulus is taken as the more representative value for stability
Iran. Geological studies combined with the core samples taken from analysis. In general it is found that the static Poisson's ratio usually
these fields, represented a highly fractured limestone reservoirs underestimates the stress in the reservoir, for this reason the dynamic
with low formation pore pressure gradients. Fig. 1 shows the Poisson's ratio was used for analysis.
history of the depletion in the field A. Because of the confidential

Table 2
Controllable factors and uncontrollable factors.

Controllable factors Uncontrollable factors

Equivalent circulating In-situ stresses

Density(ECD) Rock lithology
Drilling fluid type Pore fluid chemistry
Drilling fluid chemistry Rock porosity, original
Well orientation, direction Permeability, compressibility
relative to stress field Initial rock temperature
Mud temperature Rock strength
Borehole size Rock mechanical properties
Drill pipe size Initial pore pressure
Circulating rate Natural fractures
Open hole time Rock thermal properties
Drilling operations Geothermal gradient
(tripping, drilling, casing, cementing)
Fig. 1. Depletion history for the field A.
 S. Salehi et al. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 72 (2010) 229–235
For the second field (B) compressive and shear sonic transit
time were used for calculating elastic properties (Eq. (1)).
Morales correlation was used to convert dynamic values to static.
(Appendix A).
#

 h
i
2 2 2 2
Vd = VP −2VS 2 VP −VS
Other data were found from a nearby undepleted reservoir, and
then adjusted to depleted conditions. Because of the uncertainties in
magnitude of cohesions, three different sets of data were used in the
wellbore stability analysis. (Table 4).
The total overburden stress gradient was approximated by
integration of formation bulk density over depth. (Eq. (2))
D
σV = ∫0 max ρb gdD
Due to poro-elastic effects in these fields, the reservoir depletion
will directly affect the horizontal stresses. Fig. 2 shows the stress
changes due to poro-elastic effects. Horizontal stresses were
measured by the analysis of fracture pressure in similar nearby
depleted fields prior to depletion and then corrected to poro-elastic
effects. Knowledge of the minimum in-situ stress direction in these
fields was limited to poor quality data from oriented caliper logs
which defined the directions as approximately N40W in field A and
S20N in field B.
The rock mechanical properties for both fields are summarized in
Tables 3 and 4.
5. Influence of depletion on field in-situ stress
Normally the pore pressure drops when the fields start producing.
The in-situ stress profile of the fields will also drop as the reservoir
pore pressure drops. Response of the horizontal stresses due to
depletion is very important when drilling wells, because the mud
pressure should be balanced less than formation fracturing pressure
and more than its collapse pressure to avoid either loss circulation
problems or borehole breakouts. For this reason, it is essential to
predict horizontal stress changes as the reservoir pressure drops. It is
often challenging to predict these changes and there are relatively few
fields around the world where a sufficiently good data exists to find
the correlation for these changes. Since there was no valid data for the
fields under study in this paper, we have used the data in nearby
depleted fields in order to correlate the changes in far field stress.
Using data from nearby fields we assumed that the response is elastic
Fig. 2. Poroelastic-effects generated from depletion.
231
Table 3
Input parameters for wellbore stability analysis in field A.
Poisson's ratio 0.33
Young's modulus(E,106 psi) 3.31
Friction angle at peak strength (φp) 41.50
Cohesion at peak strength (Cp,psi) 1850
ð1Þ Cohesion at residual strength (Cr, psi) 540
Overburden stress gradient (σv, psi/ft) 1.20
Maximum horizontal stress gradient (σHmax, psi/ft) 0.81
Minimum horizontal stress gradient (σHmin, psi/ft) 0.72
and a correlation parameter (f) (Eq. (3)) was found to be used for
predicting true stresses used for simulations.
ð2Þ δσh
f = ð3Þ
δpp
6. Technical approach
Different wellbore stability analysis methods are presented in
literature. McLean and Addis (1994) used finite element methods to
predict wellbore stability parameters. The use of numerical/analytical
models to predict the mechanical behavior of a wellbore requires a
number of input parameters to be defined or assessed. Here we have
used a finite explicit code named FLAC for conducting wellbore stability
simulations. An elastoplastic Mohr–Coulomb failure criteria model is
used for assessing state of instability with respect to different ECDs.
Since wellbore orientation and ECD values are the only control-
lable factors a few assumptions were made;
• Orientation. The vertical direction is assumed to be a principle
direction of stress. Because there are some uncertainties to direction
of the principle horizontal stresses the worst case scenario was
assumed where the horizontal wells are parallel to the maximum
horizontal stress direction.
• ECD. This was the only controllable variable and the optimum ECD;
considering UBD condition was determined in the field A and B to be
less than 5.57 lb/Gal and 5.67 lb/Gal respectively.
A criterion based on size of yielded zone was used in analyzing the
risk of borehole instability. Since the yielded zone will be susceptible to
spalling due to pressure surges during trips and mechanical erosion by
the drillstring, the larger this zone is the greater the likelihood that
instability-related problems will occur (Hawkes and McLellan, 1996).
(Fig. 3) A parameter often used as a borehole instability risk indicator is
the Normalized Yielded Zone Area (NYZA), which is the cross-sectional
area of the yielded rock around the borehole divided by the area of the
original borehole. Experience has indicated that the onset of borehole
instability problems is often associated with NYZAs greater than 1.0,
although the critical value for this parameter undoubtly varies
depending on the setting and other factors such as well inclination and
hole cleaning capacity. More details on this can be found in references
(Hawkes and McLellan, 1996, 1997; Hawkes et al., 2000). Simulations for
Table 4
Input parameters for wellbore stability analysis in field B.
Poisson's ratio 0.30
Young's modulus(106 psi) 0.66
Friction angle at peak strength (φp) 30,35,40
Cohesion at peak strength (Cp, psi) 870,1450,2175
Cohesion at residual strength (Cr, psi) 217,480,620
Overburden stress gradient (σv, psi/ft) 1
Maximum horizontal stress gradient (σHmax, psi/ft) 0.69
Minimum horizontal stress gradient (σHmin, psi/ft) 0.58
232 S. Salehi et al. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 72 (2010) 229–235

Fig. 6. NYZA versus ECD in field A.

Fig. 3. Development of yielded zone around the wellbore.

Fig. 7. NYZA versus ECD in field B.

these fields were generated through a finite-explicit code (FLAC) and a

finite-element code (Abaqus). Results from both simulators are in a very
close match.

7. Finite-explicit simulations

As shown in Fig. 4, FLAC was used for determination of yielded

zone area (FLAC, Version 5). The magnitude of maximum displace-
ment vector should always be considered in the acceptable range.
Fig. 5 illustrates the typical FLAC output of the displacement vectors.
Fig. 4. Maximum displacement generated in FLAC simulations. More than hundred simulations with different ECD values were
conducted; Figs. 6 and 7 shows the trend of NYZA changes with
different ECDs in field A and B.
As shown in the figures with increasing ECD, the NYZA will decrease
and we will have more stable wellbore. Typically, drilling with a
bottomhole pressure above than formation pore pressure will decrease
the risk of borehole instability due to less yielding area of the rock adjacent
to the borehole.
The plots for both fields indicates that there is relatively small
amount of yielding (NYZA less than 1.0) predicted for pressures less
than reservoir pore pressures. For instance, in field A, ECD ranges from
5.30–5.57 lb/Gal considering the UBD condition would be acceptable. In

Table 5
ECD range for UBD condition regarding different cohesion values.

Cohesion at peak strength (Cp, psi) ECD range (lb/Gal) considering UBD condition

2175 5.4–5.7
1450 5.67–5.7
870 N/A
Fig. 5. Predicting yielded zone in FLAC.
 S. Salehi et al. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 72 (2010) 229–235 233

Fig. 8. Two dimensional mesh used for finite-element simulations.

the second field with respect to different cohesions, the ECD range is
presented in Table 5. In the case of choosing 870 psi for cohesion, there
would be no ECD value considering NYZA be less than 1.0. Based on the
wellbore stability simulations, adjusting NYZA criteria to 1.2 as a critical
value provided adequate hole cleaning be maintained. An ECD range of
5.06–5.30 lb/Gal was recommended for drilling the horizontal sections
of the mentioned well in field A. This was 0.27–0.47 lb/Gal less than
reservoir pore pressure. This difference was enough to guarantee
underbalanced drilling conditions.
For field B 1450 psi was used for cohesion which resulted in a
recommended ECD range of 5.40–5.48 lb/Gal.

8. Finite-element simulations

The mesh was generated and discretized with 2D-Hyper Mesh

software and as illustrated in the Fig. 8. For increasing the results
accuracy, a very fine mesh was built around the borehole based on
using pore pressure elements. A convergence study evaluated the
ability of the software to solve various simulations, and satisfactory
results were observed with this mesh. The height, width, and length of
the model were nearly ten times the wellbore diameter and thus
sufficient to eliminate the artifacts in stress distribution that result
from end effects. The mesh was then validated based on the Kirsch
solution for effective stresses around the wellbore in a pre fractured
Fig. 9. Yielded zone created from the pressure difference between the wellbore and formation
state. The difference between the results of the numerical model and (a) yield zone created for 0.2 (lb/Gal) pressure difference, (b) yielded zone created for 0.3 (lb/
those of the Kirsch solution proved to be only 0.01%. Gal) pressure difference (c) yielded zone created for 0.4(lb/Gal) pressure difference.
After assigning the boundary conditions into the model, a Mohr–
Coulomb elasto-plastic material model was used for simulations and
the equivalent plastic strain outputs helped us to predict the yielded 9. Actual well response
zone forming around the borehole.
According to uncertainties in the field B input data, results from The reservoir section of 61/2 in. wellbore in field A was actually
finite-element simulations in the first field are presented in this paper. drilled with an ECD of 5.20 lb/Gal so the underbalanced condition was
Fig. 9 shows the equivalent plastic zone for three cases of pressure kept most of the time. No sever borehole stability problem was
difference between pore and wellbore pressure. Using fine mesh for reported during drilling of this section. The daily drilling reports also
near wellbore region helped us to determine the NYZA factor for all indicates a decrease of 550% in mud loss compared with the
cases that were found to be less than 1.22 that resulting in a very good overbalanced condition.
match to FLAC results. Fig. 10 shows the state of stress around the It is not possible to state whether the hole suffered any failure,
borehole in one of the cases. since no caliper were run in the 61/2 in. hole. No caliper or core data
234 S. Salehi et al. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 72 (2010) 229–235

Fig. 10. State of stress around the borehole, (a) Stress in horizontal coordinate, (b) stress in vertical coordinate (c) shear stress around the borehole (d) Von Mises stress around the
borehole.

has currently been made available to assess the wellbore stability therefore the converted static properties are not necessarily correct
condition of the well drilled in field B, but the well was drilled without to use in carbonate reservoirs as in the case of field B. Due to
any major complication as in Field A. uncertainties in rock mechanical properties presented in this
paper, core data will be required to verify the properties used for
10. Conclusions and recommendations field B.
5. For complete wellbore stability analysis in these fields, a combi-
1. Severe lost circulation during overbalanced drilling condition is nation of both mechanical and chemical effects should be
reported during drilling depleted carbonate fields in Iran, for this considered. However, only the mechanical effects are considered
reason using the underbalanced drilling technique with proper in this paper.
wellbore stability analysis is recommended for drilling in these
fields. Nomenclature
2. An elastoplastic model combined with both Finite-Explicit and Finite- Cp cohesion at peak strength, psi
Element codes were used for mechanical wellbore stability analysis of Cr cohesion at residual strength, psi
underbalanced drilling technique in depleted Iranian fields. Based on D depth, m
the results and compared with field data using elastoplastic models DST drill stem test
gives good predictions for wellbore stability in these fields. E young's modulus, psi
3. A criterion based on size of yielded zone or NYZA (Normalized ECD equivalent circulating density, lb/Gal
Yielded Zone Area), was used to assess stability condition. Based on g gravitational acceleration, 9.8 m/s2
the simulation results and for keeping UBD condition in most of the NYZA Normalized Yielded Zone Area
time the critical value of NYZA was adjusted to 1.20 instead of unity VP compressional velocity, m/s
in Iranian carbonate fields. Choosing this critical value an ECD of VS shear velocity, m/s
5.06–5.30 lb/Gal was proposed for drilling the well in field A. νd dynamic Poisson's ratio
Compared with actual field data no wellbore stability problem was σV overburden stress gradient, psi/ft
encountered during drilling of this well. However, more research σHmax maximum horizontal stress gradient, psi/ft
and comparisons with field data is necessary to define proper NYZA σHmin minimum horizontal stress gradient, psi/ft
critical value for stability assessment. φp friction angle at peak strength, degree
4. The Morales correlation was used for the field B to convert the ρb bulk density, kg/m3
dynamic values to static. This correlation is for sandstone reservoirs NYZA Normalized Yielded Zone Area
 S. Salehi et al. / Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 72 (2010) 229–235
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Mr. P. McLellan for his help on
some technical issues used in this paper and NISOC (National Iranian
South Oil Company) for their permission to publish the results
presented in this paper.
Appendix A. Morales correlation
Esta (− 2.21 ⁎ PIGN + 0.963) ⁎ Edyn
Esta Static Young's Modulus
Edyn Dynamic Young's Modulus
PIGN log porosity
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